Gauging device



Dec. 20, 1955 Original Filed Feb. 26, 1949 W. F. ALLER ETAL GAUGINGDEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 la la;

INVENTORj BY Zww Dec. 20, 1955 w. F. ALLER ETAL 2,727,311

GAUGING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 26. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 20,1955 w. F. ALLER ETAL 2,727,311

GAUGING oavzca Original Filed Feb. 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 20,1955 w. F. ALLER ETIAL ,72

GAUGING DEVICE Original Filed- Feb. 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 UnitedStates Patent GAUGING DEVICE Willis Fay Aller and Anthony J. Page,Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Sheffield Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Original application February 26, 1949, Serial No.78,568,

now Patent No. 2,647,456, dated August 4, 1953. Di- Vided and thisapplication January 12, 1952, Serial No. 266,202

9 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) This invention relates to gauging apparatus andmore particularly to apparatus for gauging articles and selecting andmarking the articles according to size, the present case being adivision of our application, now Patent No. 2,647,456, for LettersPatent, Serial No. 78,508, filed February 26, 1949.

In accordance with the present invention an article is supplied to agauging station where the actual gauging takes place, and dependent uponthe results obtained in the gauging station the articles are markedaccording to the size range or ranges of the dimension or dimensionschecked. In its preferred form, the marking means includes a devicehaving a series of difierent characters indicative of different articledimensions, these different characters being automatically selected andapplied to the article. There is also provision in the supply means forproperly arranging the article so that it can move in the proper mannerto the gauging station. Where the article is a piston, for example, thepiston pin hole is thus automatically brought into approximate alignmentwith the direction of the supply movement of the article and the articleis then accurately positioned for gauging during its movement intogauging position. The articles in their travel to the gauging positionare moved by a moving mechanism which is power driven so as toreciprocate back and forth, there being provision for automaticallydisabling the moving mechanism in case the article itself is improperlypositioned or in case the hand of the operator is ahead of the article.

It is thus one object of the invention to provide a ganging apparatushaving marking means provided with a series of ditferent charactersindicative of different article dimensions under the automatic controlof the gauging means so that the proper marking is applied to thearticle.-

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus of the charactermentioned in which the marking means has a series of differentcharacters indicative of different article dimensions, the charactersbeing automatically brought into proper position adjacent the articleready for application to the article and then automatically applied tothe article While the article is in gauging position.

Another object is the provision of an article gauging device havingmeans for approximately locating the article as it is applied at theloading station and additional means for accurately positioning thearticle for gauging during movement of the article to the gaugingposition, a further object being the provision of means forautomatically disabling the moving means that supply the article to thegauging position in case of improper arrangement of the article or thehand of the operator.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus for gauging anumber of different dimensions and selecting some of those dimensionsaccording to different size ranges and automatically stamping markingson the articles to indicate the difierent size ranges of some of thedimensions, with provision for disabling the stamping mechanism in caseany of the difierent dimensions gauged are entirely outside ofacceptable tolerances.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing desscription, the appended claims, and the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. l is a perspective view on a reduced scale of agauging device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the gaugingand supplying mechanism as viewed from the front of the gauge;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ratus;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken above the level of thegauging apparatus some parts of which have gauging pp been omitted forprovision of clarity;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the piston and the pistonarranger which approximately locates the piston in proper position forapplication to the gauging station;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the arranger;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the marking mechanism which applies aselected character to the article accord ing to the selected size rangein which the dimension checked falls;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view mechanism on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view through the mark ing mechanism,taken on line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a detail of the stationary electrical connection means bywhich the proper character of the marking means is selected;

Fig. 11 is a detail View on an enlarged scale showing how the electricalconnection is made between the rotating brush and the non-rotating partsof the character selecting device of the marking means;

Fig. 12 is a side view of a portion of the marking means showing howportions thereof are adapted for ready removal;

Fig. 13 is ahorizontal sectional view through the article in gaugingposition, illustrating the energizing or enabling switch which initiatesa gauging cycle and show ing the location of the diameter gauging holesfor checking the piston skirt outside diameter; and

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connectionsof the various parts of the gauging apparatus.

through the marking Referring more particularly to the drawing in which.

the same reference numerals have been applied to the several views, thegauging apparatus in the particular embodiment herein ing and selectingdifferent dimensions of engine or the like, although it will be obviousthat various features of the invention are equally applicable to gaugingapplications for other articles of various sizes and shapes.Furthermore, it will be understood that while the embodiment of theinvention which will be described herein includes different gaugingelements for gauging the depth and width of piston ring grooves, theskirt diameter, and the diameter of the two piston pin openings and formarking the piston according to five different size classifications ofthe skirt diameter and for three different classifications of the pinhole diameter, other classifications can be employed or some of thegauging elements omitted in accordance with the particular character ofresults to be obtained and in accordance with the particular article tobe gauged.

The gauging apparatus in general comprises a main support 10 on whichhinged doors 11 are provided to normally close and protect the gaugingmechanism, these doors providing a front opening as will be apparentfrom Fig. 1 through which the articles are supplied to the gangingstation. Above the support 10 is an electrical control panel 12 carryingthe electrical coils, relays and the like a piston of an illustrated isone adapted for gang-i forming a part of the gauging system, the frontof the panel serving as a support for signal lamps and preferablycarrying a representation of the article showing the different elementswhich are to be gauged.

As will be apparent from Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, a piston 14 is applied atthe loading station 15 by merely dropping it on a feed slide 16 which isreciprocally operable along a guideway 17 on the support 16. This feedslide has an upwardly projecting arranging device 18 that looselyreceives the open lower end of the piston, this device having side arms19 each provided with a groove or passage 29 in line with the piston pinopening. The width of these side arms 19 is somewhat less than thedistance between the piston pin bosses and while there is somesubstantial clearance between the piston pin bosses and the side arms19, the rotational movement permitted the piston when it is on the slide16 is limited so that the piston pin opening is generally in alignmentwith the direction of travel of the piston as it moves towards thegauging station. The upper portions of the arms 19 are tapered, asindicated in Fig. 3, for cooperation with the lower rounded portions ofthe piston pin bosses, in order to rotate the piston automatically asthe piston is dropped in place, if the piston pin opening is notgenerally in alignment with the direction of feeding movement. Theoperator is therefore relieved of the problem of arranging the piston inany particular manner except that he must apply it with the piston headuppermost, and as it is dropped on the feeding slide, the arrangingdevice in conjunction with the side guide 'bars 22 properly arrange thepiston so that the piston pin opening 23 'will necessarily enter thetapered outer end of a gauging spindle 24 which is located at thegauging station as will be further described. As the piston moves on tothe gauging spindle which has only a very limited clearance with respectto the piston pin opening, the piston is picked up a few thousandths ofan inch ofiof the slide 16 and accurately arranged so it will beproperly applied in a predetermined position to the gauging station.

The feed slide 16 is continuously driven back and forth by means of twofeed cams 26 and 27 fixed on a shaft 28 which is operated throughsuitable gearing in a gear chamber 29 driven by a pulley 30 which isbelted to a drive motor 31 omitted in Fig. 3 but illustrated in Fig. 14.Cams 26 and 27 are respectivelyoengaged by rollers on rock arms 32 and33 both of which are fixed to a lever 34 which is pivotally connected at35 to a plate 36. Slidable in the plate 36 is a bar 37 having a notch 38engaged by a toe 39 in lever 40. Lever 40 is pivoted at 41 on the plate36 so that normally the toe 39 is engaged in the notch 38 under thepressure of a spring 42 which is strong enough to hold the parts firmlyto one another in normal operations and cause the bar 37 to move backand forth in a substantially positive manner.

The bar 37 is pivotally connected by a pin 44 to the lower end of thefeed slide 16 as shown in Fig. 3. However there is interposed betweenthe end of the bar 37 which is connected to the lower end of the fixedslide and the other portion of the bar which is connected to the plate36, a telescopic spring pressed connection 45 which permits limitedmovement of the plate connected portion of the bar in a directiontowards the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, when the piston is in gaugingposition so that the piston is finally applied in gauging position undera substantially uniform spring pressure.

The lower side of the bar 37 has shoulders 47 adapted, at times, to beengaged by a toe 48 on a lever 49 pivotably mounted at 50 on thesupport, when the lever 49 is moved up from its normal position shown inFig. 3. If the'lever 49 is moved up during the feeding movement of thepiston before the piston reaches the gauging position in which it isshown in Fig. 3, it will be apparent that the toe 48 engaging one of theshoulders 47 will positively stop movement of the bar 37 and under theseconditions the toe 39 of lever 40 will ride out of the notch 38 duringthe continued movement of arm 34 towards the right. The toe 39, however,will automatically pick up its engagement with the notch 38 on itsreturn movement and reconnect itself and continue normal operation ofthe bar 37 if the lever 49 in the meantime has been lowered out ofengagement with lug 47. A link 52 is pivotally connected to the lever 49and to a bent lever 53 pivotally mounted at 54 on the support 10. Lever53 extends upwardly and is fixed to a release bar 56 which extendsacross the path of feeding movement of the piston from loading stationto gauging station above the normal level of the piston if the piston isproperly applied to the arranging device 18. In its normal movement togauging position, the piston will thus have no contact with the releasebar 56 but if its piston pin bosses are just balanced on the upperportions of the side arms 19 of the arranging device with the piston pinopening degrees from its proper position, then the upper portion of thepiston will be moved against the bar 56 as the piston moves towardsgauging position, forcing the bar 56 to the right and thus lifting link52 and raising arm 49 so that the toe 48 engages and stops the bar 37and temporarily disables the feeding mechanism. When the toe 39 picks upnotch 38 in its return travel towards the left as viewed in Fig. 3, itwill move the feed slide back to loading position and the jostlingaction given to the piston in this movement will jar the pistonsufiiciently so it will drop down to its proper position. If it shouldnot do so, the operator can of course reposition the piston, but thathas been found unnecessary except under extraordinary conditions.

The release bar 56 is also efiective to prevent injury to the hands ofthe cperator in case he should have his hand or fingers on the advancingside of the piston or between the piston and the bar at a time when thepiston is moving towards gauging position, for in that case the fingersof the operator rather than the upper portion of the piston will engageand push back the bar 56 and thus disable the power feed. It will beunderstood that the lugs 47 on the bar 37 are so positioned as to beready for prompt engagement with the toe 48 when either the piston orthe fingers of the operator are forced against the bar 56.

A stop pin 57 on the support 10 prevents counterclockwise movement oflever 53, as viewed in Fig. 3, thus holding it in normal positionagainst the force of gravity.

The gauging mechanism effective at the gauging station will now bedescribed. This gauging mechanism comprises a pair of opposed airnozzles 59, see Fig. 13, located in guide plates 60 which are arrangedin line with and behind the guide bars 22. These nozzles are near thelower end. of the piston skirt and diametrically opposed with respect tothe piston when the latter is in gauging position. The amount of airsupplied under pressure to the gauging nozzles 59 and leaking betweenthe nozzles and the piston depends upon the diameter of the piston skirtand the amount of this air leakage is gauged by a plurality of switchcontrolling air gauges i, 62, and 63, all controlled in accordance withthe pressure obtaining at the airvjets. These switch controlling gaugesmay be of the character disclosed in Patent 2,448,653,, grantedSeptember 7, 1948. Each switch controls two contacts both of which areclosed if the dimension of the article gauged is within a predeterminedsize range for which the contacts have been adjusted, the size rangesbeing different for the different switches so that five differentselections are obtainable within the limits of permissible maximum andminimum limits. These three switches as will be presently explainedcontrol the selection of the proper character to be marked on thearticle gauged by the application of a stamp which inks or imprints thecharacter on the article. For this purpose, where five differentselections are to be provided, the stamp is provided with charactersnumbered 1, 2 3, 4, and although various other characters may be usedrepresentative of the different size ranges.

The diameter of the piston pin holes is gauged by annular air jets 66and 67 in the air gauging spindle 24, these jets communicating with airpressure controlled gauging switches 68, 69, 70 and 71 similar toswitches 61 to 63. The air jet 66 controls the operation of switches 68and 70 while air jet 67 controls switches 69 and 71. Each pair ofswitches communicating with one of these air jets provides for threeselections within the tolerance of the piston pin diameter as well asproviding for rejection of oversize and undersize holes that falloutside of the tolerance limits. These switches control marking devicesthat apply one, two or three ink dots on the piston skirt as will befurther explained.

When the piston is placed in gauging position in the gauging station,one of the piston ring grooves is adapted to receive a roller 73 if thegroove is wide enough, without forcing this roller rearwardly. Theroller is arranged on an arm 74 pivotably mounted at 75 and having aprojection 76 that opens a normally closed microswitch 77 if the pistonring groove width is less than a predetermined minimum tolerancerequirement, for in that case the piston ring groove will not be wideenough to receive the roller 73. I

When the piston is applied to the gauging station it comes up against astop lug 80, see Fig. 3, which is fixed on a block 81 rigid with thesupport 10. In this position of the piston a part of the piston wallpushes rearwardly on a lever 82, see Figs. 13 and 14, closing a normallyopen microswitch 83 which energizes the gauging circuits as will bepresently described.

The diameter of each piston ring groove is gauged by means of a pair ofopposed gauging feelers 85 and 86 which are spaced apart a distancedependent upon the diameter of the groove, operating the gauging plunger87 of a double contact gauging switch 88 preferably of the characterdisclosed in Patent 2,254,812, granted September 2, 1941, the manner inwhich the gauging feelers 85 and 86 are supported for yielding movementalso being disclosed in that patent. It will be understood that a pairof opposed gauging feelers is provided for each ring groove, each pairof feelers controlling its respective gauging switch 88, 89, 90 and 91.

The roller 73, as previously mentioned, is controlled to operate theswitch 77 if the groove width is too small. To check the groove widthand make sure it is not too large there is a gauging feeler 93 for eachgroove. Each of these feelers is carried on a spring supported arm 94,the feeler 93 being slightly thicker than the acceptable maximum widthof the ring groove so that it will normally be pressedback by the pistonto operate a microswitch 95, one for each feeler, except when it ispermitted to enter the groove due to the groove being too wide. Thus thefingers 93 operate in conjunction with the roller 73 so that togetherthey determine that the grooves are of such width as to fall within themaximum and minimum tolerance limits permitted, or to fall outside ofthose The marking mechanism employed for marking the several skirtdiameter selections on the top of the piston is illustrated in Figs. 7and 12, and as shown in those figures, the several characters, namely,the numbers 1 to 5, corresponding to the five selections produced, arearranged in the form of projections on a stamping roller 100 which rollsin contact with an inking roll 101. This inking roll is preferably areadily removable ink saturated pad, freely rotatable on the shaft 102.A retaining plate 103, see Figs. 8 and 12, may be swung back afterloosening the holding screw 104 and permit endwise removal of the inkingpad. A spring blade 105 is fixed at one end on a bracket 106 thatcarries the inking mechanism on the support 10. The other end of thespring blade engages a supporting arm 107 pivotably mounted at 108, andthe arm 103 is mounted at one end of arm 107 so that the inking roll isyieldingly held down against the marking roll, tension spring 109tending to counterbalance the weight of the inking roll.

The normal position of the marking roll is as shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8,being slightly elevated above the top of the piston. This roll is fixedon a shaft 110 by spring pressed retaining arms 143 and is rotatable inthe outer ends of two spaced carrying arms 111 and 112 rigidly connectedtogether, the other ends of these arms being mounted for pivotablemovement on a shaft 113 carried in bearings 114 arranged on the bracket106. The arm 112 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 116having a slot 117 receiving an operating pin 118 in the end of a link119 which is operated by a solenoid 120, see Fig. 7. When the solenoidis energized it moves the link 119 to the left as viewed in Fig. 7beyond the position of the parts shown. It will thus pull the extension116 of the arm 112 and move the arm counterclockwise so as to depressthe marking roll 100 and apply a selected character to the top of thepiston. Thus a character such as l, 2, 3, 4 or 5 will be inked on thepiston according to the size of the skirt diameter. As the roll 100moves downwardly it travels away from the inking roll temporarily but ityieldingly energizes the inking roll on a return movement when thesolenoid 120 is deenergized and the lever arms 111 and 112 are pulledupwardly by the return spring 121, see Fig. 7.

Carried by the top of the bracket 106 is an electric motor 123 whichoperates a pulley 124 connected by belt 125 to a drive wheel 126. Thisdrive wheel is fixed to a drive shaft 127 and a friction drive wheel 128which drives the rubber surface 129 of a wheel 130 fixed on shaft 110.The motor 123 thus continuously rotates the stamp roll 100 through africtional drive connection such that the shaft 110 may be held againstrotation during continued movement of the motor. Until the gauging cycleis initiated and the proper character is selected, the marking wheelcontinues to roatte at a fairly rapid rate. The wheel is stopped bymeans of a locking pawl 132 pivotably mounted on the shaft 113 andhaving an upward extension 133 which has a round hole receiving the pin118 so that the pawl 132 must move with the link 119 under the controlof the solenoid 120. In its normal position the link 119 is somewhat tothe right of the position of that part as shown in Fig. 7 where theparts have been illustrated after a partial movement of the link 119 hastaken place. This partial movement has brought the pawl 132 intodepressions 135 in the wheel 130 which is fixed against rotation withrespect to marking roll 100. In its normal position the pawl 132 isdisplaced clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 7 and is free of thedepressions 135 of the marking roll, it being understood that the firstmovement of the link 119, traveling towards the left as viewed in thatfigure, is to apply the pawl 132 and stop the rotation of the markingroll while taking up the lost motion that the slot 117 provides betweenthe link 119 and the arms 111 and 112. Continued movement of the link119 then moves the pawl and the marking roll together in a downwarddirection to apply the selected character to the piston.

The selection of the proper character corresponding to the gaugeddimension of the article is effected as follows: A fixed member 137 onarm 112 is provided with a series of electrical terminals 138corresponding in number to the total number of individual characters onthe marking roll. While the marking roll may have five equally spacedcharacters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for example, it is preferred, in obtainingfive selections, to have two series of l, 2, 3, 4, and 5 characters allequally spaced around the roll and in this case there will be tenelectrical terminals 138 to which ten different wires are connected aswill be more fully explained in connection with the electrical circuits.Each terminal has a contact 139 and the several terminals are adapted tobe contacted one after the other with a rotatable wiper contact or brush140 on a yielding brush arm plate 141 provided on a disk 142 which isfixed to the shaft 110 so it will move with the marking roller. Thearrangement is such that one ofv a series of electrical circuits isenergized at the proper time in the sequence of the gauging operationafter the piston or other article gauged is moved into gauging position.If the size range of the piston skirt is classification number 2 forexample, then the number 2 terminal will be energized and as soon as thebrush 140 reaches one of these energized number 2 terminals, a circuitthrough solenoid 120 is energized to automatically bring the pawl 132into locking engagement with the marking wheel and stop the markingwheel so the number 2 character is centrally below the axis of the shaft11%, continued movement of the solenoid then immediately depressing themarking wheel and applying the number 2 character to the piston top. Assoon as the solenoid 120 is deenergized these parts then return, pawl132 being withdrawn by retracting spring 146, a portion of which isshown in Fig. 3, so that the marking roll will again rotate in contactwith the inking roll.

Current is taken from the contact disk 142, see Fig. 11, by means of aspring pressed brush 144 engaging the peripheral surface of this diskand electrically connected to the controlling circuits as will bepresently described.

A curved cover plate 148, shown in Figs. 2 and 8, is carried by theouter ends of the arms 111 and 112 and forms a protection for theelectrical parts of the marking mechanism.

The double contact switches 68, 69, 70 and 71, which are controlled inaccordance with the diameter of the two piston pin holes are arranged toautomatically operate inking bars or tubes 15%), 151, and 152 which areillustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, the lower ends of these bars carryinginking pads 153 engageable with the piston skirt but normally spacedfrom the skirt. Each of the inkingbars is pivotably supported at 154 ona mounting bracket 155, the bars themselves extending upwardly andhaving ink chambers 156 at their upper ends. The bars are hollow so thatthe ink is supplied to the pads 153. These bars are each controlled by asolenoid such as the solenoid 157 operating a link 158 so as to pulloutwardly on the upper end of the inking bar and thus move the pad inthe lower end of the inking bar against the piston skirt. The threesolenoids 157 that control the three bars are controlled by the pressurecontrolled switches 68, 69, 70 and 71 so one, two or all three-of theinking pads are applied to die piston skirt according to whether thesize of the piston pin hole falls in the 1, 2 or 3 size classification.

The electrical connections of the various parts are shown in Fig. 14.The supply source, preferably 110 volt, 60 cycle, is applied to startingswitches 16!) and 161,. switch 161 energizing the motors 31 and 123.Switch 161 supplies current to the primary winding 162 of a transformerhaving a secondary winding 163 supplying regulating voltage to theprimary winding 164 of another transformer which has secondary windings165 and 166. The winding 165 supplies about 6 volts to a lead 167connected to the filament 168 of a thyratron tube 169. The latter has acathode 170 connected to the lead 171 which is connected between thetransformer windings 165-and 166. The control grid 172 of the tubeconnects through a condenser 173 to the lead 171. connects to apotentiometer 175. The anode 176 is con nected to a lead 177 and to acondenser 178 which connects the lead 171. One end or the transformerwinding 166 is connected to a lead 179., Control grid 172 connectsthrough a resistance 189 to a connection 181 which connects through alamp 182 and resistance 183 tothe lead 179. The lead 181 is connected toa lamp series com prising lamps 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191,192, 193, 194, 195, 196, and 197 and across each lamp is a switchcontact, as shown, these contacts being the contacts of switches 88, 89,90, 91, 63, 69 and 61. The first four of these switches are responsiveto the diameter of the piston ring grooves; switches 68 and 69 areresponsive to The screen grid 174 wide for the maximum tolerancepermitted.

the maximum and minimum limits of the two piston pin holes, while switch61 is for the control of the maximum and minimum limits of the skirtdiameter. All of these switches will be closed if all the dimensionschecked fall. within the desired tolerance limits controlled by theseswitches, thus extinguishing all of the lamps in the series due to theshort circuiting action of the switches. If any of the switches areopen, however, that may be noted by the operator who sees thecorresponding lamp illuminated and the color of the lamp, which may bered or green for undersize or oversize conditions, shows him whether thepart is too large or too small. Lamp 182 shows if any of the lamps ofthe series 184 to 197 is burned out. The resistance 183 is high enoughcompared to the total resistance of all the lamps so that any one or allof the lamps can burn it connected across the leads 179 and 167.

Current can flow in the cathode anode circuit of tube 169 if the controlgrid is less negative with respect to the cathode and this will occur ifany of the lamps 184 to 197 is in circuitsince that will change thevoltage supply to the control grid 172 due to the connection between thecontrol grid 172 and the lead 181. Thus if any one or more of the lamps184 to 197 is illuminated due to its short circuiting switch being open,then current will flow through the lead 177, to the realy 200 andthrough that relay and the resistance 201 to the lead 179 and back tothe transformer winding 166. The relay 21H) is therefore energized ifany of the contacts controlled by the various switches 88, 89, 90, 91,63, 67 and 61 are open. When the relay 2% is energized a master light202 is also energized to show the operator that at least one of thedimensions gauged falls outside the maximum or m nimum tolerancerequirements.

The transformer winding 163 also supplies current to a secondtransformer primary 204 which energizes the secondary windings 295 and206 connected to a thyratron tube 267 having an anode 208 which suppliescurrent when the control grid 2&9 is less negative with respect to itscathode to energize the winding 200, the connections of the elements ofthe tube 297 being similar to the connecy tions of the tube 169, two ofthese tubes being supplied in order to give adequate power in view ofthe considerable number of lamps and switches involved in the circuit.The control grid 2199 of the tube 207 is connected to a lead 210 whichconnects to leads 211 and 212, the latter containing a manually operableswitch 213 which is closed during automatic operation but open duringsetup adjustments. Lead 211 connects to a series of lamps 214, 215, 216,217 and 218. Across the green lamp 214 is the normally closed switch 77which opens only when the groove width is too narrow. Across the fourred lamps 215, 216, 217 and 218 are the four normally open switches 95,any one of which is'closed when a piston is in gauging position if thewidth of its respective groove is not too Thus all these switches willnormally be closed and all of these lamps short circuited if the groovewidth satisfies the maximum and minimum tolerance requirements. And ifall of these switches are closed the cathode anode circuit of tube 207will not conduct current. it will, however, supply current through therelay 200 if any of these switches is open to show that the part shouldbe rejected.

The several lamps 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 and 228 are inseries with the lamps 214 to 215 during setup operations with the switch213 open and also in series with the indicating lamp 230 and aresistance 231, lamp 230 failing to illuminate if any of the variouslamps in series with it are burned out at a time its respective shortcircuiting switch is open. The lamps 220 and 228 inclusive areindividually short circuited by switches controlled by relays as will bepresently described.

Current from the source supplied through the switch 16.1 is carried toleads 233 and 234, lead 233 having a connection to the switch contacts235, 236 of the switch 70 which is properly set to give the maximum andminimum range of selection of one of the piston pin holes.

Lead 233 is also connected to the contacts 237 and 238;

of the switch 71 which makes a corresponding determination for the otherpiston pin hole. The lead 233 is also connected to the contacts 239 and240 of the switch 62 which determines the intermediate limits of theskirt diameter selection. In the same way there is a connection to thecontacts 241'. and 242 of the switch 63 which determines the middlelimits of the skirt diameter selection. The switch contacts 235 to 242inclusive are connected res ec vely to switch operating relays 245, 246,247, 248, 249, 253, 251 and 252, the other ends of which are connectedto the lead 234. If for example the number 1 hole diameter falls withinthe number 2 classification, or in other words in the middle range ofacceptable size, both switches 235 and 236 will be closed and both relaywindings 245 and 246 will be energized. Under these conditions, sincethe part falls within the overall maximum and minimum permissibletolerances, the number 1 hole maximum and minimum control switch 68 willhave both of its contacts closed. On the other hand, if the number 1hole is a number 1 size or selection, both contacts of switch 63 will beclosed but only one of the contacts, namely, the contact 236 of switch70 will be closed and the relay coil 245 will not be energized.

Cormected across the leads 233 and 234 is the lever operated switch 33which is closed by the piston when the piston enters gauging position aspreviously described. When this switch closes it energizes a switchcontrolling relay 255 in series with it to close a switch 255:: which isdelayed in closing. The reference numeral of a relay winding will beused with a letter suffix to designate the switch or switches controlledby that relay. The switch 255a closes after a short time delay in orderto permit the moving parts to stabilize immediately followingapplication of the piston to gauging position. Switch 255a is connectedthrough a normally closed manually operated supply switch 256 to thelead 233 and supplies current to a lead 257. This lead is connected to aswitch 258a which is closed when its control relay 258 is energized,switch 258a thus serving as a holding switch for its relay. The lead 257also connects to switch 250a controlled by relay 250. The other side ofthis switch 250a is con nected to one of the terminal connections 139 ofthe marking apparatus that stamps the number 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 on thepiston corresponding to the skirt diameter size. As shown, this switch250a connects to both of the number 1 connections corresponding to thenumber 1 character on the marking device. Switches 252a, 251a, 249a,250b, 252b, 2511: and 24% are connected as shown to the other terminalsnumbered 2, 3, 4 and 5 as shown. The relays 249 to 252 which controlthese switches also control switches 2490, 250e, 2510 and 252e,connected as shown across the lamps 224, 225, 226 and 227 previouslyreferred to. In series with these switches 2490 to 2520 are the switches2450 to 2480 inclusive controlled by the relays 245 to 248, and a switch2550 controlled by relay 255.

The movable wiper contact or brush 140 of the marking mechanism isconnected through a lead 261 to a switch 200a controlled by relay 200which is energized to open the switch 200a only if a thyratron tubefires due to any part being outside of the maximum or minimum tolerancerequirements of any of the various dimensions gauged. Switch 200a istherefore normally closed.

Switch controlling relay 258 also controls another switch 258]; whichconnects lead 233 to a relay 262 which controls time delay switch 262athrough which current may be supplied from the leads 233 and 263 whenthe switch 25% is closed to energize the stamping solenoid 120 and alsoenergize the primary of a transformer 122 which may be connected tooperate a bell or gong. Switch 262a closes promptly when the relay 262is energized but is delayed on opening. Lead 263 also connects to thethree solenoids 157 and switches 245d, 246d, 247d, and 248d,

10 these solenoids 157 being energized one, we or three at a time tomove the marking rods that apply 1, 2 or 3 dots or marks on the side ofthe piston in accordance with the size of the piston pin hole.

The various switches are adjusted to the proper size range in accordancewith any particular requirement. Fig. 14 shows how the six contacts ofthe three pressure operated switches 61, 62 and 63 provide fiveselections of acceptable size of the piston skirt diameter and how thetwo pressure operated switches 68 and 70 of the number one pin hole, forexample, give three acceptable selections. A piston is applied by theoperator to the feeding means while the feed slide is retracted butwithout stopping its continuous operation. The piston is then moved bythe arranging device 18 and carried forward to gauging position, thearranging device serving to automatically position the piston so thatthe piston pin hole is generally in line with the end of the gaugingspindle 24 before the spindle enters that hole. Continued movement ofthe piston thus brings the piston on to the spindle and into exactposition for gauging. Entering the gauging position, the forward side ofthe piston closes the switch 33 and energizes the timer switch relay255, closing switch 255a and thus supplying power to the lead 257. Ifthe piston skirt diameter falls with the number 1 classification, the

switch 250a will remain closed since switch 240 will remain open. Switch2501: will remain open so that none of the other terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5of the marking device will be energized. As soon as the revolving brush140 touches either one of the terminals number 1 of the marking device,current will flow from the line side 233, closed switches 255a and 250a,through the brush 140 and closed switch 200a and energize relay 258connected to the other side of the line 234. This will take place,however, only if the switch 200a remains closed but it will remainclosed if none of the dimensions gauged by the other gauging devicesfalls either inside or outside the maximum tolerance limits. No currentflows through relay 20%) under these conditions since all of the lampsin the two lamp series are short circuited by their respectivecontrolling switches. Relay 258 is then energized as previouslymentioned and closes the switch 258a constituting a holding switch, sothat even though the contact made by the brush 141) with the contactterminal number 1 is temporary, the relay 258 will energize and remainenergized. Energization of this relay 258 closes switch 258]) andenergizes the relay 262, closing switch 262a and supplying current tothe stamping Solenoid 120. This stamping solenoid as has been previouslymentioned first stops the rotation of the marking disk and then bringsthe marking disk down to apply the number 1 character on the top of thepiston. The notches in the marking disk are so positioned that the pawlthat stops rotation of the marking disk will arrange the disk so thatthe proper number is immediately below the axis of the disk. If the sizeof the piston skirt is a number 2 selection then the relay 250 will beenergized, since the switch 240 at this time will be closed. Switches2500 will then be open and switch 25Gb closed. Switch 252a will remainclosed since switch 242 is now open. Switch 252b will remain open sothat it is only thenumber 2 terminal connection of the marking devicethat is energized and the rotating brush 140 will thus close thiscircuit when it first reaches a terminal number 2 and apply a number 2marking on the piston. If the size range is number 3 then switches 250aand 252a will be open, switches 25Gb and 25% both being closed sincerelays 250 and 252 are both now energized due to switches 249 and 242being closed. Switch 251a will now be closed and switch 251:5 open dueto the deenergization of relay 251, switch 241 being now open. Thus itis only the number 3 contact station of the marking device that isenergized and which could give a circuit connection between the rotatingbrush to energize the stamping solenoid by closing switch 25817. In asimilar manner terminals 4 and 5 respectively are .the only terminalsenergized for the number 4 and 5 classifications respectively. It shouldbe noted that the solenoid 120 is energized as soon as switch 25811closes, the delayed opening switch 262a remaining closed for asubstantial time after its controlling relay 262 is energized and onlyopening after a time delay suflicient to permit the stamping operation.Following the stamping operation, which occurs during a dwell period inthe operation of the slide operating mechanism when the piston is ingauging position, the piston is retracted and as soon as it starts toleave gauging position the piston opens the lever-operated switch 83,thus deenergizing relay 255 so as to open the switch 255a immediatelyand denergize the relay 258 so as to reestablish the circuit ready forthe next operation.

In the gauging operation if the pin hole is within the middle limits ofthe acceptable size range, i. e., number 2 classification, switch 235will be closed, energizing winding 245, closing switch 245d so that twoof the solenoids 157 will be energized when the switch 25812 closes. Thethird solenoid will not be energized since the switches 246d and 248dare both open, switches 236 and 258 both being closed and windings 246and 243 both being energized. For a number 3 classification of thenumber 1 pin hole, winding 245 is energized closing switch 245d, winding246 is deenergized, switch 236 being open so that switch 246d remainsclosed and all three solenoids will then mark three dots on the side ofthe piston. Gne dot is applied when switch 245d remains open due toswitch 235 remaining closed.

No mark will be applied to the piston if switch 258b remains open or inother words if there is a failure to energize winding 258, and thisoccurs if the switch 2000 is open for any reason and it will be so openif either one of the thyratron tubes fires and supplies current to thecoil 200 because of the opening of any one of the various switches 88,89, 90, 91, 68, 69, 61, 77 or 95, all of which are normally closed ifthe particular dimension controlled by these switches falls within themaximum or minimum limits permissible. The operator can thereforedetermine by the mere fact that there is no'marking on the piston thatat least one ofthe dimensions checked fails to meet acceptablerequirements, and he may note,

during the gauging operation, to see which particular lamp or lampsflash on if that should occur to determine just which particulardimension fails to meet tolerance requirements.

As will be readily understood, the gauging apparatus is one capable ofvery rapid operation since the feeding cycle takes place continuouslywithout substantial pause except for the temporary dwells at the ends ofthe feeding strokes to give suflicient time for the operator to drop thepiston at the feeding station and sufiicient time for the gauging andmarking operation to take place while the work is at the gaugingstation. Acceptable pistons will thus be automatically classified andmarked according to their classifications so they may be assembled withcooperating parts of the proper size for which they are adapted. Theautomatic stamping operation is carried out very rapidly and with nopossibility of operators error such as might be obtained where theoperator has to translate signal lights or gauge indications and do themarking himself. Y

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis notlirnited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

l. A gauging apparatus comprising a support provid- 7 ing a gaugingstation, gauging means at said gauging station, cyclically operablemovingmeans on said support for moving an article to be gauged from aloading position to the gauging station and return to the loadingposition in each cycle, said moving means including a latch connection,and latch releasing means located in position 12 for operation by thehand of the operator if interposed ahead of the article and operablyconnected to said moving means to release said latch connection anddiscontinue the movement to the gauging station.

2. A gauging apparatus comprising .a support providing a gaugingstation, gauging means at said gauging station, a feed slide operable onsaid support for moving an article to be gauged from a loading positionto the gauging station and return, power means, cyclically operablemoving means including a link connection to operate said slide from thepower means, said link including a latch connection, and latch releasingmeans located in position for operation by the hand of the operator ifinterposed ahead of the article in its movement toward the gangingstation, said latch releasing means including means to positively stopsaid feed slide and release said latch connection to discontinue furtherinward feeding movement.

3. A gauging apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 said moving meansincluding a feed slide having an article arranging member whichapproximately locates the article.

4. A gauging apparatus comprising a support providing a gauging station,gauging means at said gauging station, cyclically operable moving meanson said support for moving an article to be gauged from a loadingposition to the gauging station and return, said moving means includinga normally positively acting drive member ineluding a releasableconnection, and means located in position for operation by the articlein moving towards the gauging station, it the article is abnormallyarranged on the moving means, for automatically temporarily releasingthe releasable connection to stop movement to the gauging station duringonly a predetermined portion of a normal cycle to allow reengagement ofthe releasable connection to return the article to the loading position.

5. A gauging apparatus for pistons and the like, com-.

prising a support providing a gauging station, gauging means at saidgauging station, a holder operably mounted on said support for moving apiston from a loading position to the gauging station, locating meansincluding means for cooperation with the piston pin bosses of a pistonof the particular type to be gauged to automatically rotate the pistonabout the central axis of the piston whenv the piston is applied theretoso as to locate the axis of the piston pin hole approximately in apredetermined position before movement of the holder into gaugingposition, and projecting means included in said gauging station forentering the piston pin hole and accurately locating the piston inposition for application to the gauging means during movement of thearticle into gauging position.

6. A gauging apparatus comprising a support providing a gauging station,gauging means at said gauging station, an article holder operablymounted on said support for moving an article having two spaced abutmentsurfaces from a loading position to the gauging station, locating meansforming part of said holder and including means for loosely engagingsaid abutment surfaces as an article of the type to be gauged is placedthereupon for automatically rotating the article about an axistransverse the direction of movement to the gauging station toapproximately locate the article on the holder before movement of theholder into gauging position, and means in said gauging station foraccurately locating the article about the said axis in position forapplication to the gauging means during movement of the article intogauging position.

7. A gauging apparatus having a gauging station and a loading station,gauging means at said gauging station, a feed slide operable between theloading and gauging stations, power means, cyclically operable movingmeans between the feed slide and power means including a latchconnection, resilient means biasing said latch connection into drivingengagement to operate said feed slide from the power means,.;a latchreleasing means, said latch releasing means being operable to positivelystop further inward movement of the feed slide thus releasing said latchconnection against its resilient bias to prevent further movement of thefeed slide to the gauging station but allowing engagement of the latchconnection on the return movement of the moving means to return thearticle to the loading station.

8. A gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station anda loading station, each at a fixed location thereon, gauging means atsaid gauging station, guide means on said support extendingrectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a feedslide operable on said guide means and including article positioningmeans, power means, cyclically operable moving means between the feedslide and power means including a latch connection, resilient meansbiasing said latch connection into driving engagement to operate saidfeed slide from the power means, a latch releasing means located forengagement and operation by the operators hand or by an abnormallypositioned article, said latch releasing means being operable topositively stop further inward movement of the feed slide thus releasingsaid latch connection against its resilient bias to prevent furtherinward movement of the feed slide but allowing engagement of the latchconnection on the return movement of the moving means to return thearticle to the loading station.

9. A gauging apparatus comprising a support providing a gauging station,gauging means at said gauging station, article carrying means mounted onsaid support for movement from a loading position to the gauging stationand return, means supporting said carrying means from said support andguiding the carrying means for rectilinear feeding and return movementsin reverse dimetions along a common path, drive means on said supportincluding a recirprocable driving portion continuously and cyclicallyoperable, means providing a normally positive driving connection betweensaid driving portion and said carrying means providing a normal cyclicfeeding and return movement of the carrying means between the loadingposition and the gauging station, means on said support positioned foractuating engagement by an abnormally arranged article in its feedingmovement toward the gauging station, releasing means responsive toactuation of said engagement means and operative to temporarily releasesaid driving connection and render the drive means ineffective duringthe continued movement of the drive portion and stop further inwardfeeding movement of the carrying means, and means for automaticallyreengaging said releasable connection upon return movement of thedriving portion to positively return the carrying means and the articlefrom the pointof engagement to the loading position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,311,441 James Feb. 16, 1943 2,318,856 Hofiman May 11, 1943 2,320,393Randolph June 1, 1943 2,356,242 House Aug. 22, 1944 2,369,785 KuehlmanFeb. 20, 1945 2,370,220 Aller Feb. 27, 1945 2,451,616 Goin Oct. 19, 1948

